he New York Knicks closed a historic chapter in Las Vegas. By defeating the San Antonio Spurs at the T-Mobile Arena, the franchise lifted the third NBA Cup in history and, more importantly, captured its first trophy since 1973 — ending more than half a century without silverware.
Created to bring added interest and competitive meaning to the early part of the regular season, the NBA Cup has steadily grown in importance. Now in its third edition, the tournament delivered exactly what it promised: playoff-level intensity long before spring.
A Playoff Atmosphere on a Neutral Stage
From the opening minutes, the game felt far removed from a typical early-season matchup. The neutral setting in Las Vegas amplified the pressure, and the single-elimination format left no margin for error. The Knicks responded with composure, resilience, and a collective edge that ultimately made the difference.
Moments Inside the Locker Room
The emotional weight of the victory became fully visible in the locker room. Players took turns posing with the trophy, with younger teammates especially aware they were part of a rare moment in franchise history.
As he walked off the court and toward the locker room, Karl-Anthony Towns summed up the mindset behind the win with a simple phrase:
“That’s how we work.”
Moments later, he shouted “MVP Jalen Brunson” down the hallway — a spontaneous recognition of his teammate’s leadership.
Later, leaving the postgame press conference, Brunson, named NBA Cup MVP, stayed true to his understated personality, offering only a quiet thumbs-up before once again deflecting attention back to the group.
Asked briefly amid flashes and smiles in the locker room, Towns described the feeling as powerful and almost unreal.
“It’s incredible,” he repeated, as the celebration continued around him.
Anunoby Sets the Tone on the Floor
On the court, OG Anunoby was one of the defining figures of the night. Dominant and impactful on both ends, he imposed himself physically and mentally throughout the game.
Inside the locker room, Deuce McBride jumped in unprompted to describe Anunoby’s performance in blunt terms:
OG went out there and took the game. He took everything.
True to his reserved nature, Anunoby immediately brushed off the praise, but inside the locker room there was little debate about his decisive role.
Bridges, Yabusele and Dadiet: Pride, History and Perspective
With a wide smile, Mikal Bridges spoke about the emotions of winning and the work that went into the season. For him, the NBA Cup reflected the identity of the group — a team that embraces every challenge. While keeping his eyes on the ultimate goal later in the season, he joked about using the prize money to buy the same massive SUV as teammate Mitchell Robinson, even as Robinson shook his head, amused, saying it wasn’t possible.
For Guerschon Yabusele, the night carried extra meaning. The French forward of Congolese heritage celebrated his 30th birthday on the same evening. He described the moment as powerful — the NBA Cup being the first trophy of the season and the result of a true collective fight. Even without playing in the final, Yabusele stressed that victories like this belong to the entire team. The ups and downs are part of an NBA season, he explained, but winning together is what matters most.
That sense of pride was shared by Pacôme Dadiet, the young French player of Ivorian origin. He highlighted how special it felt to make history with a franchise like New York after seeing the work done behind the scenes. Coming from another continent and experiencing this alongside teammates such as Yabusele, Ariel Hukporti and Mohamed Diawara made the moment even more meaningful. Asked about the money prize, Dadiet said he wanted to stay smart — perhaps investing — while still allowing himself to enjoy the reward after so much effort.
A Collective Victory Above All
From a basketball standpoint, Jalen Brunson insisted that the title was a collective achievement. While slightly below his usual scoring standards, he made a point of highlighting the contributions of Tyler Kolek, Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Clarkson.
Robinson played just 18 minutes but grabbed 15 rebounds, including 10 offensive, while battling Victor Wembanyama inside. Clarkson, who had struggled from deep in recent games, hit two consecutive three-pointers at a crucial moment, completing a comeback after the Knicks trailed by ten points.
A Trophy That Could Mean More
There was no champagne sprayed in the locker room — only a deep sense of accomplishment. For the Knicks, the way they won mattered as much as the trophy itself. A pressure-filled, single-elimination victory on a neutral floor could serve as a blueprint for what lies ahead.
In Las Vegas, amid laughter, photos, and the NBA Cup passing from hand to hand, the Knicks showed something perhaps even more important than winning:
they showed they have learned how to win together.
